Neil Armstong was the first English name I ever learned. I could barely speak in 1969 (I was 5) and I didn't even know there was something called America.

--

"If one can stick to the training throughout the many long years, then will power is no longer a problem. It's raining? That doesn't matter. I am tired? That's besides the point. It's simply that I just have to."

Emil Zatopek

xor

posted: 8/26/2012 at 12:35 PM

The Dallas Morning News went with the lazy version of the "one small step for man" quote this morning.

For those who don't know, Neil always claimed he said "That's one small step for *A* man...", which makes a bit more literal sense. However, when he heard himself in the recording, he admitted it didn't sound like he said the "a", but he thought, he really really thought, he really did.

So, smart people analyzed the recording and found a blip that was probably "a", but Neil kind of swallowed it.

I apologize for my joke-in-poor-taste subject line. Believe me, Armstrong and all the Mercury/Gemini/Apollo astronauts were my biggest heroes from the age of 0-10.

The subject line was really more about my view of the importance of the Lance stuff, most of what I consider to be BS. From all sides. About a dude who rides a bicycle really really well.

Neil Armstrong was a special kind of guy. BESIDES the Apollo thing, he was a test pilot, including dealing with all kinds of goofy NASA creations. And... he always always gave credit to the whole program and the many people that worked together to make it be. That is a special kind of awesome.

The Dallas Morning News went with the lazy version of the "one small step for man" quote this morning.

For those who don't know, Neil always claimed he said "That's one small step for *A* man...", which makes a bit more literal sense. However, when he heard himself in the recording, he admitted it didn't sound like he said the "a", but he thought, he really really thought, he really did.

So, smart people analyzed the recording and found a blip that was probably "a", but Neil kind of swallowed it.

Now Neil can ask Gus if he screwed the pooch or not.

I heard it originally as "one small step for a man", and was annoyed when the media left out the "a". Admittedly, it was not very clear.

PBS is now airing a show about the moon missions, especially Apollo 8 and 11. As a little kid I was glued to the TV for most every Gemini and Apollo mission and it still gives me goosebumps. What a great time it was to grow up.

Little-remembered now is Neil Armstrong's Gemini 8 mission which almost ended in disaster, saved only by Armstrong and Dave Scott's quick reactions.

"Able to function despite imminent catastrophe"

"To obtain the air that angels breathe you must come to Tahoe"--Mark Twain

"The most common question from potential entrants is 'I do not know if I can do this' to which I usually answer, 'that's the whole point'.--Paul Charteris, Tarawera Ultramarathon RD.